Ivybrook Academy, the award-winning half-day preschool expanding across the United States, is growing its presence in the Midwest. The school is bringing its mission of providing a progressive approach to early childhood education to families in Dublin, Ohio, and the surrounding Columbus metropolitan region.
Ivybrook Academy, based in the Charlotte, North Carolina, area, is recognized for its multifaceted approach to early childhood education. By combining elements of Montessori and Reggio Emilia education with Multiple Intelligence research, Ivybrook Academy crafts a balanced curriculum with an emphasis on creating a continuous cycle of learning designed to reflect a child’s interests and needs.
Evan Lee, owner of Ivybrook Academy’s new Dublin campus, says that opening the new location brings a unique progressive curriculum where the student is the top priority.
“The child is number one in mind,” says Evan. “It’s a one-of-a-kind curriculum with Reggio Emilia infused with Montessori for a unique experience. We put the kids first, and they’re not a number. It’s something that Ivybrook has done since day one and will continue to do in Dublin, Ohio.”
Evan’s sister and Ivybrook Academy principal, Amber Lee, spent more than a decade of her career in the field of school social work. She said that Ivybrook Academy’s emphasis on the child’s development was a major factor in her decision to join the school.
“What initially drew me to learning more about it and falling in love with the concept was how unique it was, and how different the concept is, compared to a typical preschool where everybody is learning the letter of the week and doing the same thing,” Amber says. “I really liked the individuality of it because my background is focused on the individual needs of a child emotionally, and Ivybrook applies that approach to academics as well.”
The impact of early childhood education on cognitive development is well-documented. As the awareness of early childhood education’s impact on behavior and health grows, so does the need for institutions that value and nurture children’s natural curiosity.
Amber explained that she and Evan grew up in a household with a strong emphasis on education. Their mother and father were both teachers, with their mother becoming a guidance counselor and their father a principal.
“We grew up with education at the forefront of our home and our community,” she says. “I knew from when I was little that I wanted to be a teacher.”
She went on to say that she appreciates the school’s community focus and looks forward to connecting with both students and their parents.
“The thing that makes me most excited is getting to know families and build relationships with them in the community where I also live,” says Amber. “I’m so excited for the first day. I’ve always worked with kids, and it’s something that is a love of mine. I’m so excited to get to know them and watch them grow in a new way.”
Evan says that the corporate involvement from Ivybrook Academy has been invaluable throughout the process.
“The support has been absolutely phenomenal, and I think that goes hand in hand with why Ivybrook has been successful,” he says. “That’s why Ivybrook was started 12 years ago and is continuing to grow.
Ivybrook Academy is pleased to further develop its presence in Ohio and the Columbus metropolitan area by providing families with reliable access to quality education.
“We’re thrilled about our new location,” says Drew McWilliams, Chief Executive Officer of Ivybrook Academy. “Our goal is to bring Ivybrook’s unique approach to education to the entire country. Our new campus in the Columbus area plays a big role in that. We can’t wait to see the campus open for business and show Ohio families why early childhood education is so important.”
Ivybrook Academy is growing throughout the United States with commitments to open new locations in markets including Denver, Colorado, Ann Arbor, Michigan, and Jacksonville, Florida. New locations in Cummings, Georgia, and Hendersonville, Tennessee are scheduled to open in 2020.
About Ivybrook Academy
Ivybrook Academy opened its first campus in 2007 in Weddington, North Carolina. Founded by first-grade teacher Jennifer McWilliams and her husband, Drew, Ivybrook Academy seeks to provide the multidimensional opportunities students deserve in communities across the United States.
Ivybrook Academy offers a progressive approach to early childhood education combining aspects of the Montessori method, Reggio Emilia, and Multiple Intelligence Research. The balanced curriculum values students’ individual voices within their vibrant communities with the goal of cultivating compassionate citizens who find joy in learning. With 37 campuses spread throughout the country, Ivybrook Academy is committed to bringing its award-winning model to children throughout America.
For more information, visit http://ivybrookacademy.com/
Ivybrook Academy- 3755 W. Dublin Granville Rd. Dublin OH 43017 – 614-681-0001
